Jisu98 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
spend + money, time + ~ing?
Hello!
I learned that I can use the expression 'spend,waste + money, time + ~ing'. For example,
Monks can spend years learning how to make these paintings.
But, how about if I use 'to infinitive' instead of '~ing'? Will it be a wrong sentence? Like,
Monks can spend years to learn how to make these painting.
Or, just the meaning have changed?
I learned that I can use the expression 'spend,waste + money, time + ~ing'. For example,
Monks can spend years learning how to make these paintings.
But, how about if I use 'to infinitive' instead of '~ing'? Will it be a wrong sentence? Like,
Monks can spend years to learn how to make these painting.
Or, just the meaning have changed?
Top answer
Sounds wrong to me. You can use 'in', though-- spend years in learning...
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Sounds wrong to me. You can use 'in', though-- spend years in learning...
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For some reason it works with some verbs but not others.
I agree that 'spend years to learn' sounds wrong, but 'take years to learn' sounds ok, to me.
I agree that 'spend years to learn' sounds wrong, but 'take years to learn' sounds ok, to me.
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Thank you both of you!
Anyway, I may think 'spend + time,money + to ~' is wrong. Thank you again!
Anyway, I may think 'spend + time,money + to ~' is wrong. Thank you again!
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